Pssst…Changes ahead for Pesticide Testing

Local UF/IFAS County Extension Offices have been providing a site for potential pesticide applicators to sit for pesticide exams for many years. However, your local testing at your favorite UF/IFAS Extension Office will be discontinued soon.  Here is a message from Brett Wells Bultemeier, Extension Associate Professor and Director of the Pesticide Information Office.

Bubble exam and pencil
Paper exams gone away. Photo by Healthy Place

Changes Ahead

“UF/IFAS remains committed to best serving our stakeholders through education, training, and support. The primary provider for pesticide certification exam locations has been UF/IFAS through the county Extension network. Coincidentally, all 67 county offices have historically offered free exams, either on paper or via a computer. However, due to technological updates to Windows, internet networks, and the computers UF/IFAS uses for testing, there will be changes to the testing process going forward. Below are the timelines for these changes.

Effective January 1, 2025, paper exams will no longer be offered at UF/IFAS county Extension offices.

Effective October 1, 2025 testing will no longer be available at UF/IFAS county Extension offices. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is in the process of selecting a testing vendor to take over at that point. Their stated plan is to have two options available for examinations.

Options until October 12, 2025

  1. Check the schedule and availability of your local extension office: https://pesticideexam.ifas.ufl.edu/public/testcenters.jsp
  2. Testing with your own equipment using the Everblue testing portal (additional fees required).

FDACS Options after October 12, 2025

Additionally, we will announce updates for the vendor, locations, and processes shortly.

  1. Testing on a remote proctored platform. This would be similar (if not the same) as the current Everblue portal.
  2. Testing at licensed testing centers around the state. These locations host a variety of other tests, like the GRE, SAT, and other professional certification exams.

What Now?

Please contact the UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office with questions. 352-392-4721. Visit their webpage Pesticide Office Website OR learn more from Our Blog.” 

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Posted: January 14, 2025


Category: Agriculture, , Crops, Events, Farm Management
Tags: Exams, Extension, Pesticide, Testing


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